MORE than 200 Helston Athletic supporters will make the journey up to South East Cornwall on Easter Monday for the club's biggest game in more than three quarters of a century.
The Blues will meet holders Bodmin Town in the final of the Cornwall Senior Cup at Saltash United's Kimberley Stadium – their first appearance in the final since winning the competition in 1937.
Since beating Premier Division Newquay in the semi-finals, there has been a real buzz at Kellaway Parc, with fans quick to snap up tickets for supporters' coaches.
The club has been overwhelmed by the response they have had from fans in the town, with three coaches making the trip, while others will be travelling by car or train.
Whirlwind
It has been a whirlwind few weeks for a club, who only a couple of years ago were playing Combination League football.
Manager Sid Taylor said: "It's amazing to think that we will be bringing over 200 supporters up to Saltash for the final.
"The response we have had has just been unbelievable. It's going to be a day I'm sure everybody will remember for a very long time."
Premier Division champions Bodmin will be bidding to equal a competition record by winning the Senior Cup a fourth consecutive year.
But while Taylor admits the odds are against what would be a massive cup shock, he insists his players won't be going up to Saltash to make up the numbers.
He said: "Nobody expects us to get anything up there, but I'm happy for it to be like that.
"There is no pressure on us, we can just go out and enjoy our football. If we do that then you never know."
The only player to miss Monday's cup final is Jamie Thirkle, who is away.
Assistant manager Richard Full is also away, after he was recently posted to Afghanistan for six months. The Blues' No.2 is a Lieutenant Commander, based at Culdrose.
Taylor said: "It's a massive shame that Richard will miss the final after playing such an important part for us this season.
Disappointed
"I know he's disappointed to be missing it, but unfortunately that's the nature of his job. But I'm sure he'll be keeping up to date and hopefully we can do it for him."
Monday's game will also be a special occasion for Sam Real and Jimmy Williams. They were at the 1937 final and have been invited by the club as their special guests for the day.
Taylor said: "It's incredible to think they were at the 1937 final. It's been a long time but hopefully we can give them something to cheer about again after all these years."
Tomorrow, Helston take on derby rivals Porthleven at Kellaway Parc (2.15pm) as they look to bounce back from Saturday's disappointing draw with Dobwalls (match report page 111).
Helston (from): J Robertson, D Stidwell, A Stidwell, K Davies, C Strike, H Howlett, J Thomson, B Stidwell, A Collick, J Adlard, J Thirkle, T Russell, C Young, N Thwaites, J Miller, M Fox, L Eddy, M Goldsworthy, M Webster.
'Write us off at your peril' warns Helston skipper Jamie Thomson. Page 114.
